Device for starting and stopping pumps and the like.



C. E. WEED.

DEVICE FOR STARTING AND STOPPING PUMPS AND THE LIKE.

' APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8. I9I4.

1,170,377. Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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DEVICE FOR STARTING AND. STOPIINGPUMPS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented i en. '1, 1916.

Application filed December 8, 1914. Serial No. 876,103.

with wells from which water'or other liquid.

is to be pumped.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an improved controlling device of this character which will operate auto matically and with certainty to start a pump full speed when the water or liquid reaches a predetermined level and to allow the pump to continue to operate at full speed until the well is empty or the liquid level fallsbelow the predetermined point, whereupon the pump is stopped completely, thereby insuring operation of the pump at the most efficient speed and avoiding damage ,to' the pump due to running the same without load.

Other advantages of the present invention are that priming of the pump is unnecessary as the pump is not started until the water or liquid almost reaches the level of the pump, the services of attendants to start and stop the pump as heretofore required are unnecessary, and the startin' and stopping device is simple and not likely to get out of, order.

or to require any care, other than occasional inspection. a

To these and other ends, the inventionconsists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at theend of thespecification.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 represents a vertical section of a. starting and stopping device constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown applied to a pump, the device being shown .in position to start the pump and to continue it in operation; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig; 1 showing the device in position to stop the pump.

Similar parts are designated by the same" reference characters in the several views. 1

WVhile the invention isshown in connection with apump for removing water or liquid from a well. or thelike, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the precise construction and. arrangement shown, asit is capable of .various uses andmay Y also be constructed] in different ways-to meetthe requirements of each particular case. Y

7 In the present instance, the device comprises a chamberv 1 which is preferably in the form of a pipe, tube, or cylindrical casing, the lower endthereof being closed by the plug 2 and its upper end is provided in the present instance 'with a flange 3 which serves as means for supporting the same at the proper level with rcspectto the water or liquid to bepumped A float or buoyant body 4 is arranged within the chamber 1 and the latter is provided with an upper liquid inlet 5 and a lower liquid outlet 6. The upper liquid inlet 5 preferably always provides communication between the interior andthe exterior of the, casing. The lower liquid out let 6, however, is provided with means for opening and closing it at predetermined times, as will be hereinafter described. In

the present instance, a valve 7 is adapted to cover and uncover. the liquid outlet 6, it being pivoted in the present instance on an axis 8 supported on the exterior of the chamber 1, and a ball float or equivalent buoyant member 9 is connected to the valve, this float-holding the valve 7 ina position to close the liquid outlet or vent 6' when the float is submerged in theliquid at the exterior of the chamber. and causing the valve 7 to uncover the vent or liquid outlet 6-when the level of the liquid at the exterior of the chamber 1 falls below a given point. The float or buoyant body 4 is operatively connected to the throttle or equivalent starting and stopping means, pump or other machinery to be controlled. In the present instance it surrounds a vertically movable rod 10, this rod having upper and lower limit stops 11 and 12 respectively between which the float is movable freely. In the construction shown, the pump 13 is driven by fluid pres sure admitted thereto through a pipe 14, and a throttle valve 15 is connected in said fluid supply pipe and has its lever or handle 16 operatively connected to the rod 10.

Assuming that the apparatus is installed in a well or a mine or other place where water or liquid is to be pumped and that the pump is in non-operative position, as shown in Fig. 2, rising of the water or liquid exteriorly of the chamber 1 will first lift the float 1 and thereby cause the Valve 7 to cover or close the vent or liquid outlet 6,

thereby preventing liquid from entering the interior of the chamber 1. When the liquid eXteriorly of the chamber rises to the height of the upper liquid inlet 5, the water or liquid will flow into the chamber 1 through this inlet, and when it reaches the proper height Within the chamber the float 4 therein will rise, abutting against the upper stop 11 on the rod 10 and lifting the rod 10, thereby turning the handle or lever 16 of the throttle valve quickly into open position,

starting the pump into operation. Operation of the pump will cause the level of the liquid eXteriorly of the chamber 1 to become lowered but such will not reduce the speed of the pump, as the throttle thereof is open to its full extent upon the starting of the pump and it is held in its fully open position by the float 4 which will remain in its uppermost position owing to the fact that the liquid within the chamber 1 cannot flow therefrom notwithstanding the drop in the level of the liquid eXteriorly of the chamber. When, however, the liquid eXteriorly of the chamber has fallen to a predetermined point, it will allow the float 4: to fall from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2, the valve 7 then uncovering the vent 6 and allowing the water or liquid within the chamber 1 to quickly drain therefrom. The float 4 with-- in the chamber then drops, striking the lower stop 12 on the rod 10 and causing the latter to quickly shift the throttle valve 15 into closed position, as shown in Fig. 2.

A device of this character operates auto matically to start and stop one or more pumps, thus avoiding the necessity of controlling the pumps by hand, as heretofore required, and as the pump is started into operation quickly at full speed and is kept running at full speed until the liquid drops to a predetermined point whereupon the operation of the pump is stopped quickly, the maximum efiiciency is secured in the operation of the pump.

I claim as my invention 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pump-controlling member, of a chamber having means for ad mitting and discharging liquid relatively thereto, means governed according to the height of liquid eXteriorly of the chamber for controlling the discharge of liquid from the chamber, and means within the chamber and controlled according to the level of liquid therein for actuating said pump-controlling member.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a chamber adapted to be immersed in liquid and having an upper liquid inlet and a lower liquid outlet, means for closing said outlet during rising of the level of liquid eXteriorly of the chamber and for maintaining said outlet closed until the liquid exteriorly of the chamber has fallen below a given level, and pumppontrolling means within the chamber governed according to the level of liquid within said cham ber.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a chamber adapted to be immersed in liquid and having an upper liquid inlet and a lower liquid outlet, a valve for opening'and closing said outlet and having a float influenced by the liquid exteriorly of the chamber, and a pump-controlling float contained within said chamber.

4:. In a device of the character described, the combination of a chamber adapted to be immersed in liquid and having an upper liquid inlet and a lower liquid outlet, the inlet providing constant communication between the interior and the exterior of the chamber, a valve governed by the level of liquid eXteriorly of the chamber for opening and closing said outlet, a pump-controlling member having upper and lower stops thereon, and a float operative between said stops and governed by the level of liquid within said chamber.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLYDE E. WEED.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

